Western Md. City Marks Bloodless Civil War Event

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) — The western Maryland city of Oakland is marking the 150th anniversary of a Civil War event notable in part for its lack of bloodshed.

The event Thursday kicks of a four-day commemoration of the burning by Confederate troops of a B&O Railroad bridge over the Youghiogheny River on April 26, 1863.

Oakland at that time had about 300 residents. The Union had sent a small number of soldiers there to protect the bridge.
Local historian John Rathgeb says they were overwhelmed when more than 600 Confederate troops marched into town with orders to burn the bridge.

Rathgeb says the bridge was rebuilt in five days under the orders of B&O Railroad President John Garrett.